“I learned an enormous amount of useful information in a short period. With the experience of allowing a fear of critique from other writers to twist me up inside only to discover it’s a rather painless, easy experience was a real eye opener for me.” Heidi Dorey

“I went to this conference seeking ideas about outlining a novel in ways that wouldn’t stifle creativity and spontaneity. I got that and so much more. Best-selling, award-winning novelist, Pamela Fagan Hutchins shared wisdom and lessons learned about first drafts, revision, maintaining momentum through the dreaded middle of the plot, writing with efficiency and consistency, and so much more, all delivered with her trademark enthusiasm and energy, much of it in valuable one-on-one sessions. All that combined with group discussions and critiques with great writers and writing time with feedback made this a priceless learning experience. On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this conference a 12. ” Ken Oder

“I had a wonderful experience. I followed-up with a full manuscript critique with Pamela and landed an agent and publishing contract, too.” Mack Little

Close-out feedback from Pamela on the revised first 10 pages of your novel (or revised business plan)

Invaluable discussion and community building with Pamela and other participants, often focusing on publishing and writing advice

Relax on the deck with coffee and watch the wildlife (or join Pamela there for yoga at dawn), hike the property with Eric of SkipJack Publishing and the dogs, or feed apples and carrots to the giant draft horses

Enjoy home cooked meals with the scent of pine trees wafting through fresh air

Feeling overwhelmed? Take a break from the retreat and enjoy a wide variety of local activities

“Pamela Fagan Hutchins is truly at the top of her game when it comes to deciphering today’s book publishing industry. She managed to put the last piece of the publishing puzzle in place of a journey I started 10 years ago to have my own publishing house. The beauty of Pamela and Eric’s work is that it is going to save me untold time and money eliminating the “trial and error” method of marketing. ” Rita Mills, Publisher

About the Hideaway Mountain Lodge:

Mountains higher than Yellowstone, wildlife that’s really wild, exciting history sites . . . . . and no crowds! The Bighorn Region is a vacation destination for the discriminating visitor.

The Bighorn region is usually passed over hurriedly by first-time tourists—an unexpected looming mountain barrier on the way to Yellowstone—but for those special folks who don’t like crowds, condos, and curio shops this has always been a special place. Mountains to explore, Indian wars sites to discover, western lifestyle you thought was gone forever. . . . . and where else can you see one hundred miles from the window!

The Hideaway Mountain Lodge is a traditional mountain lodge where guests are personally entertained in the relaxed style of an earlier time. Guests are made to feel like part of the family and come away with a personal attachment to Sheridan and the Bighorn Mountains. It’s the perfect spot for artists, writers, or anyone seeking peace and tranquility.

While retreat guests follow a program designed to educate, inspire, build skills, and increase word count, guests will also socialize and compare their experience and their lives with each other and the hosts at mealtimes and at the end of the day on the deck or in the great room of the lodge. Guests are folks who prefer to explore and discover on their own, and hosts Eric and Pamela listen to plans and interests and make suggestions to facilitate those desires.

While our main purpose as hosts is to facilitate exploration on your own, there are some places that are just too remote or hard to find, and besides, some folks prefer to have a “native guide”. So while we’ll be telling all we can about where to explore, there are some days when we load up the vehicles and put together a party to reduce costs and have some fun.

For those seeking active adventures, there is hiking, fishing, jeeping, ATVing, kayaking, horseback riding, golf, bicycling, and auto touring. Spectator sports include rodeo, Indian powwows, polo, wildlife viewing, and birding. A day in town can include shopping, dining, museums and perhaps a little taste of the bright lights that evening. Guided activities include history tours, wildlife safaris, fishing guiding, and geology trips. Daytrips to area attractions visit Little Bighorn Battlefield, Bradford Brinton Memorial, Devils Tower, Bighorn National Forest, Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Medicine Wheel, the Hole in the Wall, Trail End Museum and Fort Phil Kearney.

Or, guests seeking peace and tranquility can relax on the deck with Moncrief Ridge looming to the south and the spectacular panorama unfolding below: rock formations, buttes, rugged foothills, and the owners’ draft horses grazing in waist-high buffalo grass and wildflowers. What better place to stimulate your creativity and quiet the noise of modern life?

The Hideaway Mountain Lodge.

Lodge Activities:

Bring a guest who just wants to explore or schedule a break in your writing week for fun, fun, fun.

“By lunchtime on the second day, I knew this retreat was the best investment I could ever make for growing my career as an Indie author. I arrived without a clue of how to market my books, and I left with a detailed, six-month action plan. Pamela & Eric are so knowledgeable and generous and willing to share everything they can to empower other writers and publishers. Plus they are fun and wonderful people!” F.E. Greene, author of The Never List (Loves Across Londons Book 1)

Meals

Meals and non-alcoholic drinks included. Breakfast and lunch will be buffet, dinner will be family style. In a small group, dietary accommodations can increase costs; we will be happy to accommodate you for an additional $70 for the week. Please specify your restrictions when you register. Writer-guests may bring alcohol if they wish. No smoking is permitted inside the house and outside only in designated areas due to fire hazard.

Rules and Restrictions

Professional behavior is required at all times. Writer-guests will be responsible for damages.

Registration

A variety of accommodation options are available, but we book fast. Each option (see below) includes the retreat and meals. Email pamela at pamelafaganhutchins dot com with your registration preference. All prices will be subject to Wyoming state taxes.

TREETOP LOFT. Open to the great room two stories below and sharing the Spruce Room bathroom, accommodates up to three adults who are great friends!, teens, or older children . . . . One writer: $800; Two writers: $500 each; Three writers: $450 each

Questions? Ready to reserve your spot?

Past Events in Nowheresville, TX:

Are you ready to take your mystery/thriller/suspense writing to a new level? If so, join award-winning, best-selling mystery/suspense author Pamela Fagan Hutchins (and her goats, cows, dogs, and deer) in the Texas Hill Country—only 1.5 hours from Houston and Austin—for a weekend writer’s retreat focusing on the craft of crime writing.

Comprehensive workshops on creating tension, character development, atmosphere and setting, red herrings, story structure and elements, creating a “villain,” series writing, and more

1-1 critique session with Pamela on your 1st 50-pages

Dedicated time to write

Feedback and discussion about your work with other retreat participants

Wildfire season in Texas. Enjoy the bluebonnets and some peaceful time in the country with Pamela’s beautiful cow Dixie and white tail deer.

8 Responses to Writing Retreats

[…] Writers, if you want to attend one of Hutchins’ small writers’ retreats in 2016 (admit it, you do), check out her website for more information: http://pamelafaganhutchins.com/speaking/writing-retreats/. […]

[…] most of the info you need to know about the place, the retreat, travel, and the area: http://pamelafaganhutchins.com/writing-retreats/ We also rent the whole place out, as we do our Nowheresville, TX farm between Houston and Austin. […]

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